Ethics and Moral Philosophy

A set of flashcards covering key concepts, critiques, and theories in ethics and moral philosophy as discussed in the lecture.

What does utilitarianism assess when determining the morality of actions?

Utilitarianism assesses the morality of actions based on their consequences, aiming to maximize happiness and minimize pain.

What method did Jeremy Bentham introduce to evaluate pleasures and pains?

Bentham introduced the Hedonic Calculus to evaluate pleasures and pains.

According to Bentham's Equality Principle, how is each individual's happiness treated?

Each individual's happiness is considered equal; everyone's happiness counts equally in moral calculations.

What is one criticism of utilitarianism regarding individual rights?

Utilitarianism's focus on maximizing overall happiness can justify actions that violate individual rights.

What does Bernard Williams argue regarding utilitarianism's approach to responsibility?

Williams argues that utilitarianism holds individuals responsible for outcomes they didn't cause, challenging personal moral intuitions about responsibility.

What is the moral principle stated in Peter Singer's argument regarding suffering?

We should prevent suffering when possible without sacrificing something of equal moral importance.

How does Singer redefine the distinction between 'charity' and 'duty'?

Helping those in need is seen as a moral duty, not just an act of charity.

What are the implications of the principle that proximity does not matter in moral obligations?

Our obligations extend globally, regardless of whether people in need are nearby or far away.

What major critique does Annette C. Baier have about traditional justice-based ethics?

She critiques it for focusing too much on abstract rights and neglecting personal relationships.

What perspective does Rosalind Hursthouse defend in ethics?

Hursthouse defends virtue ethics, which focuses on the moral character of the agent.

According to Kant, what must moral law be based on?

Kant argues that moral law must be universal and independent of experience, based on pure reason.

In Kant's ethics, how should humanity be treated according to his principle?

Individuals should always treat humanity as an end and never merely as a means to an end.

What is the focus of Kantian famine ethics?

Kantian famine ethics forbids unjust treatment and focuses on moral responsibilities without demanding to help the worst off first.

What does the concept of 'moral sainthood' entail?

A moral saint's life is dominated by the commitment to improve the welfare of others or society as a whole.

What is the failure of the Enlightenment noted in relation to virtue ethics?

The failure is the split between moral skepticism/relativism and the return to virtue ethics.